Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 4, 2021
SOCIAL SECURITY CALCULATORS THAT CAN HELP YOU DECIDE
WHEN TO CLAIM
Dear Savvy Senior:
Can you recommend some good resources that can help my wife and me determine the best claiming ages for
maximizing our Social Security retirement benefits? Just Turned 62
Dear 62:
Deciding when to start collecting your Social Security
benefits is one of the most complicated and consequential
decisions in retirement. The difference between a
good decision and a poor one could cost you and your
wife tens of thousands of dollars over your retirement, s o
doing your due diligence now is a very smart move.
Factors to Consider
As you may already know, you can claim Social Security any time between the ages of 62 and 70, but each
year you wait increases your benefits between 5 and 8 percent. However, there are other factors you need to
take into account to help you make a good decision, like your health and family longevity, whether you plan
to work in retirement, along with spousal and survivor benefits.
To help you weigh your claiming strategies, you need to know that Social Security Administration claims
specialists are not trained or authorized to give you personal advice on when you should start drawing your
benefits. They can only provide you information on how the system works under different circumstances.
To get advice you’ll need to turn to other sources.
Online Tools
Your first step in getting Social Security claiming strategy advice is to go to SSA.gov/myaccount to get your
personalized statement that estimates what your retirement benefits will be at ages 62 through 70. These
estimates are based on your yearly earnings that are also listed on your report.
Once you get your estimates for both you and your wife, there are a number online Social Security strategy
calculators you can turn to that can compare your options so you can make an informed decision.
The best one that’s completely free to use is Open Social Security (OpenSocialSecurity.com), which runs the
math for each possible claiming age (or, if you’re married, each possible combination of claiming ages) and
reports back, telling you which strategy is expected to provide the most total spendable dollars over your
lifetime.
But if you want a more thorough analysis consider fee-based calculators like Maximize My Social Security
(MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com) or Social Security Solutions (SocialSecuritySolutions.com). Both of these
tools, which are particularly helpful to married couples as well as divorced or widowed persons, will run
what-if scenarios based on your circumstances and show how different filing strategies affect the total payout
over the same time frame.
Maximize My Social Security’s web-based service costs $40 per year for a household, while Social Security
Solutions offers several levels of web-based and personalized phone advice ranging from $20 to $250.
In-Person Advice
You may also be able to get help through a financial planner. Look for someone who is a fee-only certified
financial planner (CFP) that charges on an hourly basis and has experience in Social Security analysis.
To find someone, use the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors online directory at NAPFA.
org, or try the Garrett Planning Network (GarrettPlanningNetwork.com), which is a network of fee-only
advisers that charge between $150 and $300 per hour.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim
Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
FAMILY MATTERS
By Marc Garlett
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LONG TERM
CARE INSURANCE
Our nation’s population
you become disabled (eligible for benefits) and the
is aging at a faster rate
time your coverage kicks in.
than ever before, and
collectively we are liv-
Obviously, the younger and healthier you are when
ing much longer than in the past. In fact, according
you buy the policy, the cheaper the premiums will
to Census Bureau projections, by 2034, seniors (age
be, so the sooner you invest in coverage, the better. In
65 and older) will outnumber children under age 18
fact, most policies exclude certain pre-existing con-
for the first time in U.S. history.
ditions, so if you wait until you become ill, it can be
impossible to find coverage.
With the booming aging population, more and more
seniors will require long-term healthcare services,
If you are looking to purchase long-term care insurwhether
at home, in an assisted living facility, or in a
ance, you should speak with multiple insurance pro-
nursing home. However, such long-term care can be
viders and compare their benefits, care options, and
extremely expensive, especially when it’s needed for
premiums. Different companies may offer the same
extended periods.
coverage and benefits, but they can vary dramatically
in price. Always ask about the insurance company’s
Moreover, many people mistakenly believe their
history of rate increases, including the amount of the
health insurance or the government will pay for
most recent increase.
their long-term care needs. But the fact is, traditional
health insurance doesn’t cover long-term care. And
When meeting with an insurance provider, you must
though Medical does pay for some long-term care,
get answers to the following three questions about
it’s typically limited, difficult to qualify for, and re-
your policy:
quires you to deplete nearly all your assets before
being eligible (unless you use proactive planning to
1. How long is the elimination period before
shield your assets first).
the policy begins paying benefits?
2. What capacities, or ADLs, must you lose be-
To address this gap in healthcare coverage, long-
fore coverage kicks in?
term care insurance was created. Long-term care is
3. How many years of care are covered?
a general term that describes the type of care or support
you need when you are no longer able to handle
These are the most important elements in a long-
activities of daily living (ADLs) on your own. ADLs
term care policy, and as such, they will make the
include things such as dressing, grooming, bathing,
biggest difference in the quality of coverage and the
eating, grocery shopping, meal prep, and laundry.
amount of your premiums.
Long-term care services typically fall into two cat-
Once you are in your 50s, your long-term care policy
egories: personal care and skilled care. Personal care,
should be reviewed annually to evaluate new insuralso
known as custodial care, is for people who re
ance products on the market and update your policy
quire assistance with non-medical activities, includ
based on your changing needs. Whatever you do,
ing ADLs. Skilled care, or skilled nursing care, is for
once you have a policy in place, make sure you don’t
people who require skilled medical care or rehabilita
miss a premium payment. If you fail to pay, even for
tion services.
a short period of time, you’ll lose all the money you
invested and will have no access to the benefits when
First introduced as “nursing home insurance” in the
you need them.
1980s, long-term care insurance is designed to cover
the expenses related to your care in the event you are
In addition to life insurance, a long-term care insurno
longer able to handle your own ADLs. These poli
ance policy can be a key component in your overcies
cover the cost of both personal care and skilled
all estate plan. When combined with the right legal
care services whenever and wherever you plan to re-
strategies, you can rest assured that you and your
ceive care, whether in your own home, an assisted
loved ones will be protected and provided for no
living facility, a nursing home, or a community care
matter what happens.
facility.
Dedicated to empowering your family, building your wealth
and defining your legacy, A local attorney and father, Marc
Before your coverage kicks in, most policies require
Garlett is on a mission to help parents protect what they love
that you demonstrate you have lost the ability to en-
most. Schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about
gage in at least two or three ADLs. Most policies also
ensuring a legacy of love and financial security for your
have a deductible, or “elimination period,” which is a
family by calling 626.355.4000 or visit www.CaliLaw.com
set number of days that must elapse between the time
for more information.
SENIOR HAPPENINGS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …December Birthdays*
Maria Decker, Nancy Dorn, Prudence Levine Pat Karamitros, Joan
Hufnagel, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, Helen Reese,
Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy,
Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran,
and Melissa Stute, Prudence Levin, Sheila Woehler. * To add your name
to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not
required
SENIOR ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA MADRE
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Please join the Sierra Madre Senior Community Commission in the Hart Park
House Senior Center for the much anticipated Annual Holiday Luncheon. Meet our
Senior Commissioners as they assist with serving lunch and provide some holiday
cheer. Bring your festive spirit for a fun and lively game of bingo, your appetite for
a boxed lunch (by Nano Cafe) and door prizes. Staff will begin taking reservations
over the phone on December 2, 2021. Space is limited to 40 people so reserve your
spot! Please call 626-355-5278 with your reservation and sandwich choice. Turkey,
beef or tuna.
THE HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER IS OPEN!!!!
In house lunch dining service will not resume at this time. Access to the computer/
classroom is temporarily unavailable. All Classes and programs will maintain a distance
of 6 ft between participants. All equipment used will be sanitized after each
use before it is stored. Each participant is responsible for providing their own water,
masks and additionally needed supplies for each class. Please call the Community
Services Department at 355-7394 with any questions or concerns.
DOMINOES TRAIN GAME
Wednesday, 12/1, & 12/15 11:00 am— 12:30 pm Hart Park House The object of the
game is for a player to play all the tiles from their hand onto one or more trains,
emanating from a central hub or “station”. Call Lawren with questions that you may
have. Led by volunteer Loni.
PAINT PALS
Tuesday, 12/7, and 12/21, 10:00 am—Hart Park House If you enjoy painting, sketching,
water color, or making some other form of artistic creation please join our new
program, PAINT PALS!!! Bring a project that you are working on to the HPH and
enjoy some quality art time with other artists looking to paint with a new pal.
TEA AND TALK SENIOR BOOK CLUB
Wednesday, 12/7 & 12/21— 9:00 am Staff has launched a new book club series, Tea
and Talk, which meets twice a month to discuss the fun, suspense, intrigue, love and
so much more that each selection will have in store!
FIBER FRIENDS
Tuesday, 12/14 & Monday, 12/20 —10:00 am If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery,
needlepoint, bunka, huck, tatting or cross stitch then we have a group for
you! Bring your current project, a nonalcoholic beverage, then sit and chat with
likeminded fiber friends. We meet in the Hart Park House
CHAIR YOGA
Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 am Please join us for some gentle stretching,
yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxation with Paul. Classes are ongoing and
held in the Memorial Park Covered Pavilion.
HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE
Every Friday, 10-10:45 am Bring a lei, your flower skirt or just your desire to dance!
Hula in the Park is back and waiting for you to join in on all the fun! Memorial Park
Pavilion.
CITY HALL AND THE HART PARK HOUSE WILL BE CLOSED THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 23, 2021 - MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 2022
OUT TO PASTOR
A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder
HEY, THIS IS MY STORY
Of course, that is my narcissism coming to the
I am just now concluding
surface. I want everything to be about me and
that narcissism is a virus
center on my life. I'm not sure what to do or how
that has infected everybody
to deal with this narcissistic virus that seems to
in the world that is breath-
be penetrating my life.
great deal of regret.
ing air. I even apply this to my own life with a
I don't think I will bring this up with my doc-
Nobody wants to admit they have narcissistic
tor the next time I visit him. I suspect he would
leanings in their life. And yet, if you listen to
send me to his psychology friend, and I certain-
them, and even listen to yourself, you will see it.
ly don't want that kind of examination. I don't
I did not know how aggravating it was, but I was
think I could pass.
to learn pretty soon.
The one thing I have learned about this narcis-
Recently I had a heart attack and had a stent put
sistic virus is that there comes a point where it
in one of my arteries, the widow make her. It was
explodes. I didn't know that before, but I found
this experience that showed me the level of nar
out just recently.
cissism in my own life.
Another friend called and asked about me, and
When anybody would call me and ask how I
I said I just had a heart attack and had a stent
was, I would mention that I recently had a heart
implanted in my artery. Again, before I could get
attack and had a stent inserted in one of my ar
to the end of that sentence, they began explainteries.
Before I can even get to the end of that
ing how they also had a heart attack several years
sentence, the person on the other end of the line
ago, and they had four stents put in. Then they
will say, "Oh, a couple of years ago, I had a heart
went on and on about their heart attack and how
attack and had two stents put in." And then they
it changed their life, and what they did to keep
would go on and on and on about their condi
from having another one.
tion and experience.
I don't know what triggered my explosion, but
When I thought we had come to the end of that
all of a sudden, I heard myself saying, "Hey, stop
conversation, they then mentioned, "And I have
right there. This is my heart attack, not yours.
a cousin who had a heart attack and had several
This is my story, not yours."
stents put in him I can't remember how many."
Then without hesitating, I went into my story in
Then, we're all down another rabbit trail. I sure
every detail I could think of at the time. I only
would like to catch that rabbit.
wished I had recorded it so I could know what
Coming to the end of this conversation, I said,
I actually said.
"Well, I hope you're doing well." To which I got
Just before I hung up, the person on the other
the reply, "Thank You, I appreciate that."
end said, "Well, I'll be praying for you, and I
Hanging up the phone, I thought a bit that the
hope you get better." Then there was that infaperson
on the other end of the phone did not
mous "click." And the conversation was over.
allow me to tell my story.
I hung up the phone and turned around only to
For me, this heart attack was quite an experience
see the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage star-
that I never expected to experience. I know my
ing at me with one of her "stares," and I heard
father had several heart attacks, but I never as
her say, "What in the world did you just say?"
sumed he had willed it two me. It's during these
At that moment, I knew I was in for some troutimes
that you think seriously about dying.
ble, so I said, "I'm not sure; what did I say?"
I have been tempted to spread the rumor that
I knew she would tell me what I said, so I didn't
I won the million-dollar lottery for the week.
need a recording of it. But I kind of lost control
Once that got out, I would get all kinds of calls
because of that narcissistic virus that has infect-
to hear my million dollars' story. But, of course,
ed me.
I know that they would want to be put on my
A verse of Scripture came to my mind at this
Christmas list.
time. “And he said to them all, If any man will
The discouraging point is nobody wanted to
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up
know the story of my heart attack. My heart at-
his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
tack was an opportunity for them to brag, or so it
Probably the hardest thing in this verse is when
seemed, about their heart attack or their uncle's
Jesus says “Let him deny himself.” My narcissisheart
attack or somebody else’s.
tic virus fights against that all the time.
After going through a heart attack why do I want
to hear about someone else's heart attack and
Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God
Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34483, how they got through it.
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285
Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285
Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com
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